Launch Window: 1961

Launch Window is a management sim about early commercial spaceflight in an alternate-history 1960s. Run a private launch company alongside the national space programs, chasing contracts and competing with rival firms while the Cold War and the Space Race unfold around you. BUILD YOUR COMPANY Choose from four established launch companies or create and brand your own. Select one of nine upgrade paths to set your first strategic advantage, from cheaper insurance and faster preparation to stronger publicity or earlier access to new rockets. Your reputation is more than a score. Spend it to open additional upgrade slots, advance upgrade paths through three ranks, and commit to permanent specializations that shape how your company operates for the rest of the campaign. CONTRACTS AND CLIENTS Film studios want cameras above the atmosphere. Medical boards need biological experiments returned safely. Broadcasters want relays in orbit. Other clients bring private passengers, press observers, station modules, and classified cargo. Every contract has its own deadline, reward, and mission requirements. Reach a target altitude, fly downrange, remain above the atmosphere, recover a passenger, or place a payload into a stable orbit. Rival companies are pursuing the same work. When a contract opens for competitive bidding, undercut the leading offer or promise an earlier launch, but make sure you have the vehicle, time, and money to deliver what you promise. FLIGHT DESIGN Choose from period launch vehicles including the Mercury-Redstone, Mercury-Atlas, Saturn IB, and Saturn V. Match the vehicle to the payload, set the launch azimuth, shape the ascent, adjust staging, and study the predicted trajectory before committing to flight. Then decide how much preparation the mission can afford. More time and money can improve the odds, but every precaution cuts into the contract's value. Spend too little and a failure may cost the vehicle, the payload, and your reputation. Insure the launch to soften a potential loss, or save the premium and accept the risk yourself. When the window opens, launch. Follow the mission from the pad through staging, orbit, reentry, and recovery. THE WORLD RACES FOR SPACE Newspapers chronicle the Space Race while your successes, failures, and battles with rival firms make headlines. Other companies procure vehicles, win contracts, and conduct launches of their own. Annual market reports track the competition as you build your reputation, take on more ambitious work, and fight to lead the commercial launch market before 1976. FEATURES - Choose one of four established companies or create and brand your own - Spend reputation to unlock upgrades and choose branching specializations - Compete with rival firms for contracts and commercial market share - Take cargo, passenger, orbital, and classified contracts - Design missions around detailed flight requirements - Procure and fly four historic American launch vehicles - Balance preparation, insurance, risk, reputation, and capital - Follow historical news as your alternate Space Race unfolds